22
I cried myself to sleep that night, my body shaking as I continuously sobbed.
I tossed a turned, taking forever to fall asleep.
Every turn I took, Tyler's threatening words followed me.
I didn't know how he knew Knox and I didn't know what he had against him, but I did know becoming a "casualty" would not be a good thing for me.
Serena had taken me home immediately, ending the night much earlier than planned.
I felt absolutely horrible for causing her to miss out on such an important opportunity.
The only thing I could do was hope that her boss, Emily, wouldn't hold it against her.
It didn't seem like she would considering how friendly she was and how understanding she seemed when Serena explained the situation to her before we left, but you never know.
Emily is the one that birthed Tyler of all people, so how much I could trust that she wouldn't hold it against Serena, I didn't know.
At some point I must have fallen asleep as I woke up to the harsh noise of my alarm, signaling my need to start getting ready for Knox to come over.
His race wasn't until tonight and I wouldn't need to start getting ready for it for several hours but Knox wanted to come over and spend the day relaxing with me. I wouldn't complain.
I showered, brushed my teeth, and got dressed with no real hurry. I did my best to hide the dark circles and red, puffiness of having cried for so long last night.
I debated with myself the entire time on whether I should tell Knox about what Tyler said or not.
It felt like every second I was switching the answer in my mind.
I knew that it was something Knox would want to know, assuming that Tyler was an actual threat, but I also didn't want to distract him and potentially stress him out before his race.
I was still debating with myself when the doorbell rung and I went to answer the door.
I swung the door open to meet a smiling Knox, wearing a plain black tee and dark jeans. The fit was simple and yet mouthwatering all the same.
"Baby." He greeted, grinning as he stepped inside.
"Hi." I whispered, getting goosebumps from the sound of his voice.
I shut the door, fighting down my blush as Knox greeted Serena.
"You two just hanging out?" Serena, asked smiling as she stood at the sliding glass door to the backyard.
"Yeah, nothing special." Knox laughed.
"Well, I'll be out gardening if you two need anything." She said, sending me a warm glance. I knew she was saying it to be polite to Knox, but deep down I knew she really meant it for me - to know I wasn't alone.
I sent her a grateful smile back before leading Knox up to my room and leaving my door cracked.
"Are you nervous?" I asked, taking a seat in the middle of my bed. I wrung my hands together as I watched Knox kick his shoes off next to my door.
"For the race? Nah." Knox brushed off, turning around and walking towards me.
"Not at all?" I asked, my eyes widening slightly in surprise.
"Nah." Knox affirmed as he kneeled on the edge of the bed, his hands taking hold of my legs to open them.
I gasped, confused for only a split second before he laid down between them, resting his head on my stomach - the action forcing me to lay on my back. His breath tickled my stomach as he laid a few gentle kisses to my belly before laying his head back down again.
I slowly ran my hands through his hair, massaging his head with my finger tips.
"Knox..." I started tentatively. I still wasn't entirely sure I should tell him but I needed to get it off my chest.
"Hm." He grunted, lazily bringing his hand to skim my side.
I drew in a sharp breath at the tickling sensation but continued nonetheless, "I - um... went out to dinner with Serena last night at her boss's house and uh - her boss's son was there..." I gulped, not sure how to explain really what happened.
Knox's hand stilled but he didn't move.
"His name is Tyler and he - uh he said that you're a bad influence on me and he doesn't want me to become a - a casualty." I fought the words out, my chest rising and falling rapidly from the build up of anxiety.
Knox lifted his head, leaning on the elbows on either side of my body as his eyes met mine.
"Tyler said I'm a bad influence on you and he doesn't want you to become a casualty..." Knox repeated slowly, his tone giving nothing of his thoughts away.
I gulped, nodding my head.
"And what did you say, Annie?" Knox asked, his eyes burning into mine.
"I-I didn't say anything...I was so scared, I threw up.
" My face burned with embarrassment at my admission but I had brought this conversation upon myself.
I knew Knox wouldn't react very well and I didn't blame him for wondering what I may have said back to Tyler.
If it were the other way around, I would've wanted to know how Knox responded.
Knox hummed, "He's who Liam and I got suspended for beating up. I'm not surprised he had something to say about it but you don't need to worry, baby. He won't do anything to you, I'll make sure of it." He promised.
I nodded, letting out a breath I didn't even know I had been holding.
"Who - um - who am I going to be watching the race with?" I asked, wanting to talk about anything other than Tyler now that I had gotten it off our chest.
"Liam's girl, Clarissa, and her brother. You'll like Clarissa, she's very outgoing." Knox said.
"Is she the one who was napping when we were at Liam's for swimming?" I asked thinking back to a while ago.
Knox nodded before rolling off of me and standing up.
"And her brother?" I asked as I sat up to keep looking at him - my question about him not entirely clear, and yet Knox understood it just the same.
"Her brother is trustworthy and I wouldn't let you be around him if I didn't know that he would keep you safe." Knox assured confidently before he walked to my closet and slide the door open.
I nodded, my anxiety slowly ebbing away at the knowledge that Knox would do his best to always keep me safe.
"What are you doing?" I asked, my brows furrowing as he started shifting things around in my closet.
"Looking for something you can wear tonight." He answered, his back to me as he continued sifting through my clothes.
"I already know what I'm going to wear." I frowned, standing up and walking to my dresser before holding up my planned outfit.
Knox turned his head, glancing at the black clothing I held in my hands.
"Let me see you in it." He said as he took a seat at the edge of my bed.
My cheeks tinged pink as I tried and failed to think of a reason to say no.
Instead, I walked into my bathroom and changed as quickly as I could.
I wore a black, leather mini skirt and a cut, cropped black graphic tee of a nascar race.
It was the best I could do considering I wasn't one to usually dress very "edgy" and I had no idea what dressing for a race like this would really look like.
I stepped out of the bathroom, Knox's eyes on me immediately.
"Absolutely not." Knox grumbled without hesitation.
"What?" I all but whined, "What's wrong with it?" I stepped closer to him, pouting.
Knox reached out to pull me over his lap, making me gasp in shock.
"What's wrong with it?" Knox scoffed, "This shit doesn't even cover your ass, Annie." Knox brought his hand down on my bum, the sound of the slap echoing in my room.
My mouth hung open, any and all words escaping me.
"You want your pretty pink panties on display for everyone all night?" Knox egged on, his hand now rubbing the area he had slapped.
"No." I gasped out. I tried bringing one of hands back to pull down my skirt but Knox swatted my hand away.
"So tempting." Knox hummed, sliding his hand over my panties and down my middle.
"Let me make you feel good, baby." Knox coaxed, earning a small nod from me a second later.
I shuddered under his touch, sucking in a deep breath. My eyes fluttered closed as he gently rubbed circles, eliciting a soft moan from my mouth.
Knox slowly slid my panties down, leaving me bare before him.
I moaned again, louder as he slid a finger inside me, curling slightly. I whined as he added a second, pumping me faster now. His other hand came down on my ass in another harsh slap. I choked on my gasp.
Knox groaned, slapping once more before massaging the area gently.
"I can't wait to have you wrapped around my cock." Knox groaned, filling me with a third finger.
I panted as he continued to pump me, the fingers of his other hand dug into my ass so hard I knew they would bruise. His thumb massaged my clit, successfully working me into a frenzy before I came, spasming all over his fingers.
I twitched as he pulled out of my heat, bringing his fingers to his mouth before licking them clean. I blushed at the action, still laid limp and panting in his lap.
"Maybe I am a bad influence on you after all." Knox teased, brushing a kiss against my temple.